INFIRMI

'Infirmi' is a story about Soviet sanatoriums - old days spas that are scattered across Russia and former Soviet Republics. In spring and summer of 2016 I documented many of those places in Central Asia and Crimea.

'Infirmi' is a story about old days sanatoriums designed for treatments and rehabilitation, which are still sprinkled across the post-Soviet space in varying states of decay. Their construction began in 1920's and continued right up until the collapse of the Soviet Union. These magnificent spas were built for the workers who could rest and re-energize there on a pseudo-futuristic health regimen in preparation for the working year ahead. The question of leisure was one that preoccupied Soviet thinkers. Free time and work were not separate but connected and regular sanatorium stays for workers were seen as a way of increasing productivity. Soviet workers were sent to sanatoriums once a year so that they could return refreshed and ready for work. Workers in the toughest industries, such as mining, were prioritised over others. Stays at sanatoriums were overseen by medical crew and even sunbathing was monitored by health professionals. Today, long time after the collapse of the Soviet Union, there are many of these amazing buildings still functioning. ​